Creak—
With a dull thud and a creak, the wood immediately split in two.
He picked up another piece of wood and repeated the previous action: placing the wood, swinging the axe, and chopping the firewood. His movements were fluid and seamless.
At the doorway, Qing Muyue's three brothers and Meng Jingwei's entire family stood watching Qing Muyue's every move.
Meng Jingwei glared displeasuredly at Old Man Chen, her anger flaring as she tugged at his goatee. "Old Man Chen, haven't you gone a bit too far?"
After all, Qing Muyue was the richest man in Lancheng, with considerable influence.
To make such a man, who seemed to reside in the clouds, chop wood and toil like a laborer at her home?
What was the difference between this and being kicked off his pedestal and exiled to the frontier?
"What? You're not even married yet, and you're already siding with outsiders?"
Old Man Chen, furious, puffed out his beard and glared, tapping Meng Jingwei's forehead with his pipe. "Stupid girl, you don't know what's good for you."
"Yes, your master is also doing this for your own good," Du Juan chided.
"Hmph, you all kept it a secret so well, only I was left in the dark." Meng Tianhua snorted in anger and turned back into the courtyard.
"Old Meng, why are you angry? I only found out recently too," Du Juan followed Meng Tianhua into the courtyard.
Old Man Chen also returned.
This left Han Yu, Tang Si, Lu Yanming, and Meng Jingwei at the doorway.
Tang Si, ever eager to stir up trouble, held up his phone and aimed it at Qing Muyue, recording a video. "Tsk tsk tsk... what an interesting day, must capture this memory."
"I think you're asking for trouble again," Han Yu said, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, a half-smile on his face.
Lu Yanming adjusted his glasses and sighed, "It's said that it's hard to pass the test of beauty. Even though Muyue usually looks aloof and unapproachable, when he's at his potential father-in-law's house, he does what he needs to do."
"Hahahaha, Brother, you're brilliant."
Tang Si burst into laughter while recording the video.
Meng Jingwei: "..."
What a bunch of truly wicked friends.
Beep beep beep—
Just then, a white Cadillac sedan drove up and stopped in front of Meng Jingwei's house.
"Who is it? Little Pepper, you have guests." Tang Si put away his phone and said to Meng Jingwei.
Meng Jingwei didn't know who had arrived, so she walked over to the sedan.
The car door opened, and a man in a gray trench coat stepped out. Meng Jingwei then realized it was Han Junyan.
"Jingwei, Happy New Year."
Han Junyan got out of the car, greeted Meng Jingwei, and opened his arms, giving her a direct embrace.
Having been abroad for a long time, he seemed accustomed to Western greetings.
Meng Jingwei didn't stand on ceremony. Out of politeness, she gave him a perfunctory hug and then released him. "Happy New Year. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"I wanted to give you a surprise." As he spoke, his gaze swept past Meng Jingwei and landed on the people standing at the doorway. "You have guests?"
"Yes. Qing Muyue and his... friends, came over together." Meng Jingwei glanced behind her, and the three men immediately walked over.
She introduced them one by one: "This is Tang Si, this is Han Yu, and this is Lu Yanming."
"Oh. Young Master Tang, Young Master Han, Young Master Lu, I've long heard of your names. It's truly an honor to meet you today." Han Junyan greeted them politely and stepped forward to shake their hands.
Although he had just returned to Lancheng, he had indeed heard about these people before.
They came from wealthy families, possessed considerable wealth, were highly capable, and were good brothers to Qing Muyue.
"Han Junyan? Tsk tsk... so handsome, you must have a lot of girlfriends usually." Tang Si raised an eyebrow and teased.
"You flatter me, Young Master Tang." Han Junyan maintained a polite smile and shook Han Yu's hand.
Han Yu, true to his "quiet" nature, said indifferently, "Hello."
Lu Yanming also shook hands with Han Junyan. "From what I know, Mr. Han has only recently returned to the country. How is it that you know so much about us brothers?"
Although it seemed like a normal conversation, there was a subtle sharpness to it.
"You all are quite famous in Lancheng, so it's impossible not to know about you, even if I didn't try. Hahaha..." Han Junyan threw his head back and laughed.
As he spoke, he tilted his head and looked at Qing Muyue over there. "Is that... Young Master Qing?"
Han Junyan tilted his head to look at Qing Muyue, who was laboriously chopping wood, feigning ignorance.
"Yes. My second brother has confessed his feelings to Little Pepper. Little Pepper's parents treat my second brother as family, so they're having him chop firewood. It's a good way for him to warm up his muscles."
Although Tang Si was a mischievous friend, he was very loyal when facing enemies.
Sensing a hint of mockery in Han Junyan's words, Tang Si immediately explained and subtly highlighted the relationship between Meng Jingwei and Qing Muyue.
This was to make Han Junyan recognize his own standing sooner.
Indeed.
Upon hearing Tang Si's words, the curve of Han Junyan's lips gradually faded, and even his dark pupils became even more dim and profound.
However, all emotions shifted in an instant.
"Is that so?"
Han Junyan's face once again displayed a sunny and gentle smile. "You've grown up so fast, already getting ready for marriage."
He raised his hand, instinctively reaching out to stroke Meng Jingwei's head.
At this moment, Qing Muyue's voice rang out, "Awei?"
Hearing this, they all turned to look at Qing Muyue. They saw him take off his trench coat, hold it in his hand, and beckon Meng Jingwei over with a wave of his finger.
"Qing Muyue, what are you doing? It's so cold, are you prioritizing style over warmth?"
Meng Jingwei walked directly towards Qing Muyue, muttering to him.
Han Junyan's hand, which was halfway in the air, froze. He awkwardly retracted it and put it in his trousers pocket.
"What, are you afraid I'm cold?"
Qing Muyue said this to Meng Jingwei, but his gaze was fixed on Han Junyan, giving him a look that spoke volumes.
After Meng Jingwei got closer, Qing Muyue directly took her hand, but he frowned, his brows furrowed as if drawn with ink. "You say I prioritize style over warmth, but look how cold your hands are."
As he spoke, he walked behind Meng Jingwei and draped his trench coat over her shoulders. "Since we have guests, don't just stand around at the door foolishly. Hurry and bring him inside to sit, lest people say we were inhospitable."
These were outwardly proper words, seemingly faultless at first glance.
However, Meng Jingwei couldn't help but feel a strange scent.
She furrowed her brows, casting a scrutinizing gaze at Qing Muyue, and whispered, "Are you trying to be funny? I told you, Han Junyan doesn't like me."
Did he think she was an idiot, unable to see through his schemes?
The man leaned down, coming close to her ear, and lowered his voice. "What can I do? My Awei is so charming, it makes me... feel very insecure."
His magnetic voice, comparable to a top-tier voice actor, was so pleasant it made her whole body go numb.
The two of them were so close, whispering secrets, which created an atmosphere of extreme intimacy, as if they were "whispering in each other's ears."
"Qing Muyue, can you be normal? You're making me want to throw up my dinner." She said, looking back. She saw that the four men over there were all staring in their direction, their gazes unwavering.
Meng Jingwei felt incredibly uneasy under their sharp gazes and quickly whispered to Qing Muyue, "Han Junyan likes Li Yun'er, and they're already together."